Day temperatures rising rapidly in Odisha

Spring appears to have given Odisha a miss this year with the day temperatures in the state rising rapidly soon after a chilly winter sparking apprehensions of a scorching summer ahead.
Though the maximum temperature during February are usually between 28 and 30 degree celsius, the mercury level this time has touched 34 degree celsius mark at some places, the weatherman said.
While Bhubaneswar recorded 33.3 degrees celsius yesterday, in Titlagarh in Bolangir district the mercury crossed the 34 degree mark.
Asked about the cause for the sudden surge in temperature, IMD director here Sarat Sahu said the wind direction has suddenly changed from north-west to south-west.

"Change in wind patterns and foggy weather will be experienced for some days. We expect night temperature will also increase in a day or two," Sahu said.
IMD records show that the temperature normally rises in the middle of March every year. If the conditions in the past two-three days are taken into account, the maximum temperature is likely to cross 37 degree celsius in February itself, the weatherman said adding in March it may touch 40 degree celsius mark.

IMD officials said that the temperature may fall if there is rain during the second week of February. But if there is none the heat wave may start early, Sahu said.

The maximum temperature was above 30 degree Celsius in 19 towns of of the state in the past 24 hours. Titlagarh (34) was followed by Sonepur (33.8), Malkangiri (33.6), Angul (33.7), Gopalpur (33.5), Bhubaneswar (33.3) and Sambalpur (32.9).
Cold conditions, however, continued in the interior parts of the state. Phulbani in Kandhamal district was the coldest place in the state at 5.5 degrees celsius followed by Sundergarh at 8.5 degrees.